On May 16, 2026, the third Festival of Science and Plants «Fest Science & Plants» is a large-scale scientific and educational event organized by the National Botanical Garden together with the Council of Young Scientists of the NAS of Ukraine, which acted as a co-initiator and active coordinator of involving young scientists in the event, with the support of the President of the NAS of Ukraine, Academician Anatoly Zagorodny.
The festival has once again established itself as one of the key open popular science platforms, bringing together leading institutions of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, higher education institutions, a wide range of young scientists, representatives of the innovation sector, partner organizations and the general public. The event was attended by thousands of guests – schoolchildren, students, families with children, researchers and everyone interested in modern science.
The main goal of the event was to popularize science, present modern scientific achievements in an accessible interactive format and create a space for direct dialogue between scientists, especially young researchers, and society. Throughout the day, visitors participated in lectures, master classes, interactive demonstrations, excursions, scientific experiments and thematic exhibitions. This format allowed us to present the results of research not only as an academic achievement, but also as an important factor in social development, environmental awareness and technological progress.
The special atmosphere of the event was created by the space of the National Botanical Garden – a place where long-standing scientific traditions are harmoniously combined with natural beauty. Unique landscape compositions, collection, exhibition and ethnobotanical areas, cozy alleys and spring flowering turned the festival into a real celebration of science, knowledge and inspiration.
Technological and engineering developments occupied a significant place in the festival program. The Institute of Information Technologies and Systems of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine presented innovative unmanned complexes, intelligent control systems and radiation situation monitoring technologies using UAVs. Demonstrations of simulators for unmanned systems operators, acoustic analysis of engine operation, and modern navigation systems attracted the attention of both young people and specialists. Representatives of the G. S. Pysarenko Institute of Strength Problems of the NAS of Ukraine, in particular young scientists, presented modern composite materials for unmanned systems and spoke about methods for diagnosing hidden damage in high-tech structures. The Institute of Telecommunications and Global Information Space of the NAS of Ukraine presented modern developments in the field of information technologies for ecology and environmental monitoring, demonstrating the importance of integrating IT solutions with natural sciences. Scientists of the V. I. Vernadsky Institute of General and Inorganic Chemistry of the NAS of Ukraine, among whom young researchers are actively working, familiarized guests with electrochemical technologies and prospects for the development of hydrogen energy. Representatives of the State University “Kyiv Aviation Institute” presented modern IT solutions, drone flight demonstrations and biotechnological developments, including in vitro plants and products of plant raw material processing.
One of the most visited areas of the festival was the natural science expositions. Scientists from the M. G. Kholodny Institute of Botany of the NAS of Ukraine, in particular young researchers, presented collections of microalgae, mushrooms, herbaria and interactive demonstrations. The Institute of Cell Biology and Genetic Engineering of the NAS of Ukraine presented research in the field of genetic engineering and biotechnology. Interactive demonstrations of plants with the GFP gene aroused particular interest. The Institute of Plant Physiology and Genetics of the NAS of Ukraine demonstrated new varieties of cereals and biological products that are already used in agricultural production. The Institute of Hydrobiology of the NAS of Ukraine organized lectures and interactive activities on the ecology of aquatic systems, where visitors, together with scientists, examined water samples and discussed environmental challenges. The Institute of Food Biotechnology and Genomics of the NAS of Ukraine presented modern research in the field of genomics, nanotechnology and microbiology. Young scientists played a major role in organizing the exhibition. The National Museum of Natural Sciences of the NAS of Ukraine prepared a paleontological location with interactive activitiespits that allowed visitors to immerse themselves in the world of ancient nature. The I. I. Schmalhausen Institute of Zoology of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine prepared lectures for a wide audience that contributed to the popularization of knowledge about the animal world. The National Botanical Garden offered a wide range of excursions, exhibitions and educational activities.
The Faculty of Animal Husbandry and Aquatic Bioresources of the National University of Life Resources and Environmental Management of Ukraine presented expositions on aquaculture and beekeeping that combined scientific approaches and practical knowledge. The National Antarctic Research Center presented Antarctic research, including the activities of Ukrainian polar explorers.
The Institute of Archaeology of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, together with NaUKMA, prepared an archaeological location with interactive “excavations”. The Institute of the Ukrainian Language of the NAS of Ukraine was presented for the first time on the initiative and with the participation of the Council of Young Scientists of the institution. Guests joined language interactives and discussions. The O. O. Potebnia Institute of Linguistics of the NAS of Ukraine presented modern linguistic research and organized interactive discussions on the role of language and artificial intelligence. To a large extent, the interactive and open format of the event was ensured by the active participation of young scientists from various NAS institutions.
The lectures on the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, held by the Institute for Nuclear Research of the NAS of Ukraine and the Chernobyl Reserve, attracted significant attention.
Partners joined the event, in particular the Athlon Avia enterprise, which presented unmanned technologies. Ukrenergo Company organized an ecological interactive location, and LOGICLABGROUP LLC emphasized the importance of developing scientific infrastructure.
A charity fundraiser was held as part of the festival to support the Armed Forces of Ukraine, organized by employees of the E. O. Paton Electric Welding Institute of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine. An important part of the event was also the presentation of certificates of merit to the Presidium of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine and the Council of Young Scientists of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine for their contribution to the development of science, popularization of scientific knowledge, and active participation of young researchers.
The festival became a platform for professional networking, development of cooperation, and support for young scientists. Holding the third Festival of Science and Plants “Fest Science & Plants” once again confirmed the important role of young scientists in the development of modern science and scientific communication. The event became an example of effective interaction between different generations of researchers, contributed to the popularization of science among society and the involvement of young people in scientific activities. The active position of young scientists, openness and interdisciplinarity are key factors in the development of science, innovation and the future of Ukraine.
Photos from the event are available at the link: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1BZObzWnQ1g2-pGJZeaQuFwPtW2WNSN5N
